trick or treat!
As it's still Whumptober.....using that theme (making amends) for a writing treat.
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"I thought you'd be a sadder at Uther's passing." Merlin placed a full bowl of parsnip stew in front of Gaius. "You've been friends for years."
Gaius sighed, wrapping his hands around the clay bowl. "I haven't considered Uther a friend for many many years."
"Really? I wouldn't have known." Merlin sat across from his uncle but held off on eating. Gaius hadn't picked up a spoon either, staring at the floating roots.
"You should have learned by now, Merlin, the court is full of secrets. How often have you smiled at Arthur to hide something?"
Merlin ducked his head. More often than he'd like. He wanted to be honest with Arthur, and maybe that day would be here soon, but magic was still outlawed. Anything that hinted Merlin had it had to be hidden.
He wasn't the only one in Camelot with such a secret - Gaius kept the same fact hidden. Even more tightly, perhaps, as he was known as a sorcerer in the past and often was the face pointed to first when something supernatural occurred. Even his friendship, or perceived friendship with the king hadn't saved him from punishment the past few years.
"You could have been honest with me," Merlin offered. "I tell you everything."
"Sometimes more than I want to hear," Gaius said with a smile. He picked up his spoon, but paused before dipping it into the stew.
"I think I am sad, Merlin. Not at Uther's passing so much, but I always hoped that we'd make amends. That he'd forgive me. Stand up for me when I was accused. I grieved our friendship years ago, but I always thought we could go back to how we were before Arthur's birth. Now, we never will."
"I'm sorry."
"Not your fault, my boy. I hope your relationship with Arthur lasts longer than mine with his father."
